Liam Cleverdon, Flooring Expert at Flooring King comments:

What can prolonged sunlight do to your flooring?

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can have several effects on your flooring, depending on the material, but rest assured, simply having your curtains open on sunny days won’t cause damage. It’s the extended exposure over time that can lead to issues, particularly with flooring materials like hardwood, laminate, and vinyl.

UV rays from the sun can gradually cause discolouration or fading, which is especially noticeable in light-coloured or richly pigmented woods. Over time, these floors may lose their vibrant tones or become dull. If sunlight isn’t distributed evenly across the floor, you might even notice uneven patches and discolouration.

For hardwood and laminate floors, consistent exposure to direct sunlight can also cause the material to expand and contract due to the heat, this fluctuation can lead to warping, cracking, or splitting, though this is generally more of a concern in areas with extreme temperature changes, where the environment rapidly shifts from hot to cold.

How can you tell if your flooring is being damaged from sun exposure coming in through windows?

For wooden floors, UV rays can gradually dry out and weaken the fibres, leading to warping, cracking, or splitting. Prolonged exposure to both sunlight and heat can make wood particularly susceptible to becoming brittle, causing it to lose its natural resilience. I’d suggest regularly inspecting your wood or laminate flooring, especially in areas where sunlight pours through the most during the day.

To help protect your floors, you can use a wood conditioner or oil-based treatment to restore moisture and nourish the wood, preventing it from drying out, However, it’s always best to double check the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure you’re using the right products for the flooring type. Additionally, you could apply a UV-protection oil which can further protect your floor, shielding it from the effects of the sun – this can help prevent fading, drying or cracking, making sure your flooring stays in tip top shape for years to come. 

Other signs to look out for include a loss of gloss or shine, if your floors have a glossy or polished finish, sunlight exposure can cause flooring to appear dull or worn. Sunlight tends to fall in specific areas due to the direction of the sun, and placement of furniture that blocks it out from certain areas. If you notice that some sections of your floor appear more worn, faded, or dull than others, it could be a sign that sunlight is causing uneven wear.

How can we try and avoid and fix this?

Protecting your floors from sunlight damage can be pretty simple. Consider placing area rugs in the places that receive the most sunlight which can help shield your floor from direct exposure. Similarly, strategically placing furniture to block direct sunlight can prevent areas from being constantly exposed, reducing fading in specific spots.

Probably the simplest and most effective way to protect your floors from sunlight is to minimise exposure. During peak sun hours, close your blinds and curtains to prevent UV rays from pouring in when the sunlight is most intense. If you do enjoy having your curtains open, you could look into applying a UV protective window film which is designed to block the UV rays from entering your space, protecting your floors and furniture from sun damage.